Deferred prosecution agreements

Health and safety prosecution round-up—4 July 2025

A round-up of recent corporate health and safety prosecutions, including a food wholesaler fined after a worker lost a leg and a construction company fined following an apprentice’s thumb being severed.

Jonathan Fisher KC updates on fraud offences and disclosure reform progress

Chair of the Home Office Independent Review of Disclosure and Fraud Offences, Jonathan Fisher KC has published an update outlining the progress of the review's second phase. The update identifies three focus areas: whistleblowing mechanisms for fraud detection, sentencing reform and technological/legislative changes. Fisher reports consulting over 120 stakeholders across the justice system and plans to submit final recommendations to the Home Secretary by end-2025. The review examines the Fraud Act 2006's effectiveness for internet fraud cases, which now constitute 43% of all recorded crime in England and Wales.

FCA announces two individuals sentenced for £1.5m crypto fraud

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced that Raymondip Bedi and Patrick Mavanga have been sentenced to a combined 12 years’ imprisonment for their roles in a £1.5m crypto fraud. Between February 2017 and June 2019, the individuals cold-called victims and sold fake investments in crypto consultancy services. At least 65 investors were defrauded, with total losses amounting to £1,541,799. Bedi was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court to five years and four months’ imprisonment, and Mavanga received a sentence of six years and six months. Both had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to breach the general prohibition under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Bedi also admitted to money laundering offences, while Mavanga was additionally convicted of perverting the course of justice. Confiscation proceedings are continuing. The FCA says that it has attempted to contact investors who lost out and has asked any who have not yet been contacted to come forward.

CPS publishes condensed version of DG6 to streamline case preparation

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has published clearer guidance on building strong criminal case files in collaboration with police forces. A simplified version of the Director’s Charging Guidance (DG6), has been reduced from 66 pages to eight, improving accessibility for investigators. Feedback from the Joint Operational Improvement Board indicated that the original format was overly complex for straightforward cases. In response, a working group, including CPS, police forces and the National Police Chiefs’ Council, redrafted the guidance over several months. Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson and Chief Constable Sacha Hatchett welcomed the new guide, noting its potential to expedite justice by enhancing case file quality and preparation. The simplified guidance will be distributed to all 44 police forces in England and Wales, operating alongside the full DG6 document.